Greetings to all Auburn Knights Alumni and Friends,
As President of the AKAA, it’s my sad duty to tell you we have cancelled the 2020 AKAA reunion due to the continuing impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
This decision was a tough one that only came after much careful thought and a great deal of soul searching because, quite frankly, our annual reunion has never been cancelled. However, the serious challenges imposed by this pandemic gave us no other choice. Ultimately, your AKAA Board voted unanimously to cancel this year’s event. Your AKAA Board will now begin moving out smartly to plan next year’s reunion.
Please know the Marriott Grand National staff has been very understanding and supportive in helping us reach this decision. First, the hotel waived our $4,000 contract cancellation fee. Second, our contact at the Marriott informed me this morning that the room reservations already made by some of you have not been processed yet for the first night room rate deposit per our AKAA contract rate. If you see that charge show up on your credit card, they will gladly refund the deposit. Just keep a check on your statements and contact Marriott reservations to resolve it if it shows up as a charge. We’re already working on a new contract with the Marriott for our 2021 AKAA reunion that will celebrate 91 years of the Auburn Knights! At present, that event will happen either the second or third weekend of July 2021. Stay tuned for more information!
We’re all adjusting to a new kind of “normal” as a result of this pandemic and the things we’ve already done—social distancing, closing restaurants and bars, cancelling concerts, restricting church services, etc.—have significantly affected our lives. That said, Americans, especially our Auburn Knights family, are resourceful people. We’ll continue to work to “flatten the curve” and, ultimately control this virus.
I know this cancellation is a bit of a setback to all of us who dearly love our annual gathering. In the months to come, I hope and pray that you, your families, and loved ones will stay safe and healthy through these uncertain times so we can reunite next year. Please take care of each other and, when you can, show your appreciation to those working the front lines of this pandemic—first responders, health care professionals, grocery store workers, truck drivers, any and all who are doing their best to support us.
Warmest regards and…Long Live the Knights!
Joe Daughtry
President, AKAA
Hi. I’m not a member of the Auburn Knights, but I’ve been a huge fan since dirt was new. I’m thrilled to see that you guys are still around.
The year was 1951, and I was attending the Senior Prom in Montgomery, AL. This was the era of Big Band Jazz, and I had 78-RPM records (and later, 33 vinyl) of all the big bands — Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, etc. But especially, the “Modern Jazz of Stan Kenton.
The prom was held in an old, quonset-hut sort of building, that had been an Army motor pool building during WWII. The same construction as the old Auburn Gym that burned down a few decades ago, With the arched ceiling and a hard concrete floor, the acoustics were not exactly conducive to great sound, but that didn’t matter.
The folks who had organized the prom had hired the Auburn Nights, without actually having heard them.
I was THRILLED to discover that the Knights of 1951 played all of Kenton’s arrangements. Needless to say, the sound of 6-to-8 trumpets and as many trombones, ricocheted around that old building like bullets. I did note that a couple of the guys even had valve trombones — instruments I didn’t even know existed.
The kids were all complaining, “Ooh, it’s too loud, it hurts my ears.” Meanwhile, I was standing right in front of the bandstand, my hair streaming back, just soaking in the dB’s. It was GREAT!!!
The next year, I started as a Freshman at Auburn, and had many more chances to hear the Knights. I got to know many of the band members. Sorry, I can’t remember any names, except that the drummer was a guy named Mickey Miklik. My wife and I became good friends with one of the trombonists, can’t recall his name either.
Naturally, a lot of the Knights also played in the Auburn marching band, and one of the trumpet players was a “squealer” in the style of Maynard Ferguson. The National Anthem never sounded better!
I’m assuming that you don’t get many emails from 1950’s fans. But I just wanted you to know how long I’ve been a fan. Over the years, I spent 12 years at Auburn (I’m a slow learner!). Got three degrees there, all in Physics. I just wanted you to know just how much the Knights changed my life for the better.
Most of the kids were saying, “Ooh, it’s too lound